Reserve-provider for fuel-tanks.



1.1. RICHARDS, In.

' azsenvi PROVIDER run FUEL TANKS.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE H. 19l9 Patented De 2,1919.

J'OHH J. RICHARDS, J 3, OF BBOOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

RESERVE-PROVIDER FOR FUEL-TANKS.

Specification of Letter! Patent.

Patented Dec. 2, 191i).

Application filed inn: X1, 1919. Serial No. 803,861.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. RICHARDS, J12, a citizen of the United States and resident of Brookline, county of Norfolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Im rovement in Reserve-Providers for Fuelanks, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts in each of the several views.

This invention relates to liquid fuel tank apparatus such as employed in automobiles and more particularly to means for roviding an emergency reserve of gaso ene or other liquid fuel that may be made available by the operator after the normal supply in the tank is exhausted. In usual current practice the gasolene is drawn from the bottom ofthe tank through a small ipe up through the top of the tank, either y a vacuum suction system, or by a pressure system operative in a tank, or by gravity action. and the invention is adapted for any of these systems.

In accordance with my invention I rovide a pipe for the delivery of the gaso ene, leading down toward the bottom of the tank and equipped for vertical adjustment so that it may be set normally at a predetermined distance above the bottom of the tank to draw the gasolene therefrom only down to a pre-determined point above the tank bottom, leaving a certain definite reserve sup ply of gasolene which may be drawn upon in emergency by adjusting the pipe farther downward or so that it is ada ted to draw all of the remainder of the liquid fuel from the tank. The foregoing and other objects and advanta es ,of the invention will more fully appear rom the following detailed description, and the distinctive features of novelty will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring tothe drawings D Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a fuel supply tank equipped with the device of the invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the mountin of the gasolene delivery pipe for vertical a Justment, a holding plug for the plpe be V ingshown in section. I

Fi 3 i8 8. transverse section on line 33 of Fig. 2, and

Fi 4=is a section simllar to Rig. 3, but showing the pipe neared out of its locked posltwmf 10 indicates a gasolene tank which may be of usual type for the delivery of the gasolens in the usual manner. 11 indicates the pipe conduit for delivering the gasolene to the motor. This pipe has an elbow 11 at Us and connecting it with a vertical i e 12 leadln down into the tank and sl i ably fitted t rough a bushing plug 13 which may be equipped with an externally threaded nipple l3as usual for securing it in a threaded boss 10 in the top of the tank.

In accordance with my invention, the pipe 12 is fitted for sliding adjustment through the plug 13 and it is equipped toward its upper end wlth a groove ll which is en gagcd by a split spring ring 15 housed in an annular recess 16 in the head of the plug 13. \Vith the ring 15 thus engaged in the groove 14 the pipe 12 is held so that its lower end 12 is a certain pie-determined distance above the bottom of the tank, and So as to leave a certain reserve supply R of gasolene in the tank after it is drawn out down to such lower end of the pipe. The ipe 12 may also be equipped with a stop sioulder 17 to limit the upper sliding adjustment -\Vhen it is desired to utilize the emergency reserve R of the gasolene in the bottom of the tank, the pipe 12 is pressed dow'nward until its lower end is substantially at the tank bottom in which position thering 15 may engage another groove 18 farther up on the pipe.

Thus the pipe 12 maybe held secure against casual displacement, yet with a capability of convenient manual adjustment into either of its two positions as described for leaving an emergency reserve, or for utilizing such reserve at will. It will be understood that the pi e connection 11 from the pipe 12 is, in usua practice, of a fairly flexible nature, so that the described vertical movement of the pipe 12 is permitted without interfering with said connection I am aware that the invention may be on motor, comprising a pipe extending verticallY downward through Sniri tank to near the bottom thereof and slidablz, mounted in;

the top of said tank with prliwlsien for predetermined verticalsliding adjflStlllBIltS therein whereby the lower inlet end of said pipe maybe located either at the bottom of said tank or a predetermined distance thereebove at will, the top of the tank eui perl with means for frietionnlly and yiel ingly engaging said pipe to hold it in a given position.

2. The combination with a vertical tank of a delivery conduit Iea'din therefrom com rising edpipe extending mm the to of tie tank ownward wit an inlet en near the bottom thereof, the top portion of said pipe having a slideble fitting in the tank top and equipped with spaeed apart ooves, said tank top having means for yieldably engaging said grooves to hold the pipe with its lower on a predetermined distance above the bottom of the tank per- -1nitt.ing manna] pipe so that said inlet will be located approximately at the bottom of the tank at will.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN J. RICHARDS IR.

sliding adjustment of said 

